ian mcshane

In this week's Now Playing Movie reviews on The HMC, John Wick: Chapter 2. Keanu Reeves is back as John Wick in this sequel to the knock out surprise kick ass hit of 2014. This time around he's got a new dog, and some new frenemies.

Strap in tight cause this ride is fast from the jump. After John Wick ties up some loose ends with his Russian pals he quickly finds that living a quiet life in the suburbs with his dog is never to be. Forced to carry out a task that will drag him deeper into the world of Assassins, Wick finds himself with a very large bounty on his head. Wick's got a few returning allies, chop shop man, Aurelio (John Leguizamo), Continental Hotel Manger, Winston (Ian McShane) and some new ones, Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). He's also got some new adversaries fellow assassins Cassian (Common) and Ares (Ruby Rose).

If you're concerned that the sequel won't live up to the original, never fear. John Wick: Chapter 2 equals, and possibly rivals it's predecessor upping the anti on action whilst keeping its precise, albeit simple storytelling in tact. Director Chad Stahelski aided by Derek Kolstad's script, have built a complex and imaginative universe with the John Wick franchise. With this sequel, it continues to expand and grab you into it, not unlike other (magical) world building stories that have come before it. Thus far, it's the one to beat for 2017. 9/10.

Listen to our review and visit www.thehmcnetwork.com for more tv, movie and streaming reviews and more.